Douluo; Zhongli Adventures in Mortal World with Paimon

When Zhongli brought Zhu Zhuqing to the Seven Treasures Hotel, Qian Renxue and Paimon were slightly surprised.

Of course, it had to be Zhongli—saving someone and even treating them to a meal!

But Qian Renxue and Paimon had misunderstood entirely; this wasn't Zhongli's intention at all.

Zhongli had initially planned to bid Zhu Zhuqing farewell and head to Heaven Dou City to handle some matters.

To his surprise, Zhu Zhuqing had proactively requested to join him for a meal.

"Miss Zhu Zhuqing, greetings," said "Xue Qinghe" politely. This Zhu Zhuqing seemed slightly different from the one she remembered.

Xue Qinghe was someone with an intense thirst for knowledge and an unyielding pride, unwilling to face people or situations beyond her control.

Of course, Zhongli was an exception.

"Welcome, Zhuqing! The last time we had a meal together was… well, last time!"

Paimon chirped excitedly.

The previous time they dined with Zhu Zhuqing, it had also been at her initiative. However, Paimon's invitation had been more of a polite remark, never expecting Zhu Zhuqing to take it seriously—and actually show up!

"Greetings, Your Highness, little Paimon."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Suddenly, as if a thought struck her, her eyes lit up, and she cast her gaze toward "Xue Qinghe."

This prince wasn't the real prince!

Getting involved with her was no different from plotting with a tiger.

The meal went smoothly, without any surprises. After finishing, Zhongli, who had remained quiet throughout, finally spoke.

"Qinghe, Paimon, I have some matters to attend to and will need to leave for a while."

His words left everyone at the table stunned.

This was unusual for Zhongli. He had never said such a thing before.

He had matters to attend to?

What matters could he possibly have?

For a moment, Paimon was at a loss. Why was Zhongli addressing her by name, as if entrusting her with something?

Aren't they the best of partners?

If there's something to handle, shouldn't they do it together?!

"Qinghe, could I trouble you to look after Paimon while I'm away?" Zhongli continued, breaking the silence.

At last, Qian Renxue and Paimon understood.

Zhongli had called Paimon by name because of this.

Wait a moment—wasn't Paimon Zhongli's spirit?

Just as this thought crossed her mind, Qian Renxue shook her head.

At Zhongli's level of power, maintaining the physical form of his spirit even while it wasn't within him was perfectly normal.

After all, she had never seen Zhongli retract Paimon.

To call her a spirit—she looked far more like a living, breathing being.

Perhaps that was why Zhongli didn't wish to absorb Paimon back.

Zhongli: "..."

Paimon: "..."

"Rest assured, guest elder, I will take good care of Paimon!"

For Zhongli's request, Qian Renxue didn't even consider refusing—it was an immediate agreement.

As for what Zhongli needed to attend to, she wouldn't ask. If he wanted to share, she was willing to be a listening ear.

This girl seemed to have fallen into a spell, mistaking power for love.

And that girl too, had fallen into the same trap...

Come to think of it, their behavior wasn't wrong at all.

After all, this was the Continent of Love!

If they didn't act this way, wouldn't it be strange?

"Eh?"

Paimon exclaimed in surprise, instinctively flying in front of Zhongli. "Zhongli, what's going on?

Why aren't you bringing me along?"

Before Zhongli could respond, Qian Renxue chimed in, "Little Paimon, I've heard news that the Flower-Loving Grandpa has arrived in Heaven Dou City again. This time, he's probably brought a lot of delicacies."

"Is it Grandpa Yue Guan?"

"That's right."

Paimon gulped, glancing at Zhongli, then recalling the delicacies Yue Guan had brought last time.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally said, "Zhongli, you have to come back soon, okay?!"

Zhongli: "..."

As expected, Paimon is truly the best partner in another world—just a little food and she's won over.

Qian Renxue's trick really is foolproof!

"Mm."

Zhongli responded briefly, and then his figure vanished without a trace.

As for the situation with the Spirit Hall, there was no need to worry for now.

After Zhongli disappeared, only the three women remained in the private room, exchanging glances with each other.

Qian Renxue and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a quiet look, the atmosphere turning slightly tense.

Qian Renxue could understand the way Zhu Zhuqing was looking at Zhongli—she herself looked at Zhongli the same way, perhaps even more fervently.

This Zhu Zhuqing was indeed not the same as the one she remembered.

"Miss Zhu Zhuqing, if you have something to say, feel free."

After a long pause, Qian Renxue was the first to speak.

Zhongli had left, and now Zhu Zhuqing was looking at her with such an intense gaze. This made Qian Renxue feel a bit uneasy.

Upon hearing her words, Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Paimon. The little one was staring at her with wide eyes, clearly interested.

After thinking for a moment, Zhu Zhuqing made a decision in her heart.

"Your Highness, do you think your plan will succeed?"

Zhu Zhuqing said flatly, her expression neutral. At this point, there was nothing left to lose—she might as well take a chance!

Hearing these words, Qian Renxue and Paimon froze. What did Zhu Zhuqing mean by this?

"Should I address you as Your Highness or Qian Renxue?"

Boom...

Qian Renxue's face instantly changed, as if struck by a thunderclap.

Zhu Zhuqing knew about her?

No, that's impossible!

This information, aside from the ones who were supposed to know, could only have come from Zhongli and Paimon.

Qian Renxue knew very well what kind of situation Zhongli and Paimon were in, so even if she suspected she had spoken about it in a dream, she could never suspect them.

She had signed a "contract" with Zhongli—she could rest assured about that.

"Qinghe, Zhu Zhuqing knows your identity!"

Paimon instinctively looked at "Xue Qinghe" and said.

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue felt as if she had been struck from behind. This little one... was really blunt!

Didn't she just give it all away with that remark?

"Miss Zhu Zhuqing, I don't quite understand what you mean."

After taking a moment to compose herself, Qian Renxue maintained her calm and responded with a neutral expression.

Zhu Zhuqing could see through her, and her heart was certain.

Her dreams hadn't been wrong.

"How much do you know about the relationship between the Star Luo Imperial Family and the Zhu family, Your Highness?"

Zhu Zhuqing's tone shifted as she didn't continue with the previous topic. Instead, she asked a new question.

"Only a little."

At these words, both Paimon and Zhu Zhuqing fixed their gazes on her.

"Only a little??"

If Zhongli had said that, it would have meant he knew everything.

But hearing this from Qian Renxue… what did it mean? They were unsure.

"Since Your Highness knows, then you must also know that I have no way out."

"If this cooperation fails, after the competition ends, my life will be over."

"I'm not willing to accept that!"

Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists tightly, an aura of killing intent emanating from her.

Why did the Star Luo Imperial Family have the right to decide the fate of the women of the Zhu family?

The Soul Fusion Skill should be equal—if the Dai family could sit in that position, why couldn't the Zhu family?

From the moment she was born, her fate was sealed.

In her dreams, she had believed in fate, and parted ways with him.

Now, "living again," she didn't believe in this so-called fate anymore!